| Item | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| All DVDs | 3 Days |
| New books in the adult collection with fewer than 400 pages | 7 Days |
| Back issues of magazines | 7 Days |
| Compact disks | 7 Days |
| Abridged audio books | 7 Days |
| New books in the adult collection of more than 400 pages | 14 Days |
| Unabridged audiobooks | 14 Days |
| Children’s and young adult books | 28 Days |
| Teen graphic novels | 28 Days |
| Large print books | 28 Days |
| Adult fiction, non-fiction, and biographies not shelved in new books area | 28 Days |
| Newspapers | Non-circulating |
| Current issues of magazines | Non-circulating |
| Children’s puppets and puzzles | Non-circulating |
The Board of Trustees has adopted a Library Code of Conduct to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for all patrons and library personnel. This policy is intended to provide clear and reasonable rules to guide patron behavior while in the library and on library premises. The library strives to provide an atmosphere conducive to the safe and orderly use of the facility and requests the cooperation of patrons in refraining from behavior that disrupts library services.
Parents or guardians, not the library personnel, are responsible for the safety, care, and supervision of their children at the library. For the purposes of this policy, any authorized person performing a task on the behalf of the library is considered a staff member. All persons must leave the library premises by closing time, when evacuation of the building is necessary, or at any time when requested to do so by library personnel.
The Board subscribes to Article IV of the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights, which states that “library facilities should be made available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals requesting their use.”
Unacceptable behavior includes actions in the library or on library premises that interfere with the use of the library by others, creates a risk of injury to oneself or others, inhibits the work of library staff, disrupts the peaceful enjoyment of the library or creates a risk of damage to library, personal or staff property. For those reasons the Library Code of Conduct is to be observed by everyone in the building or on library grounds.
Prohibited Conduct
Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library, or that disturbs Library visitors or staff, is not permitted. The following conduct is prohibited at the Library:
- Disregarding instructions given by Library staff.
- Using obscene, abusive, or threatening language or gestures.
- Harassment or threatening behavior, bullying or unwanted physical contact
- Engaging in sexual conduct or lewd behavior.
- Using, possessing, selling, or appearing under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or controlled substances.
- Smoking, chewing, and using other tobacco products, including vaping and electronic cigarettes and other inhalants.
- Damaging, defacing, or misusing any Library materials or property. This includes disabling or unplugging Library equipment, changing hardware or software, or using a Library computer for purposes not designated by the Library.
- Trespassing on Library premises.
- Selling any goods or services; soliciting, petitioning, or canvassing.
- Distributing or displaying pamphlets, surveys, flyers, signs, or posters on Library premises, unless approved in advance by the Library Director.
- Visitors must wear clothing, including shirts and shoes, in the Library. Swimwear is not permitted in the Library.
- Removing or not wearing footwear in the Library
- Sleeping in the Library.
- Making unreasonable use of the public restrooms, including laundering clothes, shaving, bathing, washing hair and brushing teeth.
- Bringing Library property into restrooms.
- Making unreasonable noise. This includes loud talking, shouting, using electronic devices (with or without headphones) at a volume that disturbs others, uncontrolled or repeated ringing of electronic devices, and cell phone conversations. Please silence all cell phones.
- Eating in the Library
- No drinking in the young adult and children’s rooms. Non-alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the adult room in closed containers with the exception of those areas that are in proximity to the library’s computers.
- Unsupervised visitors ages 17 and under are prohibited to utilize the elevator, unless disabled or wheelchair bound.
- Monopolizing Library space, equipment or outlets to the exclusion of others.
- Obstructing aisles, stairways, or reading areas with personal belongings including when charging personal devices. This includes actions that block access or exits to Library premises or create safety hazards.
- Bringing in animals, unless it is a service animal assisting a person with a disability or for a library-approved event.
- Running, skipping, jumping, pushing, and shoving.
- Cycling, rollerblading, roller skating, skateboarding, any wheeled equipment such as a scooter/segway or wheeled shoe use in the library or on library premises. They are not allowed inside the Library.
- Individuals with mobility impairments are permitted to use wheelchairs, walkers, and other appropriate mobility aids on Library premises.
- Moving furniture or equipment without the consent of library personnel or use of furniture or equipment in any manner inconsistent with the customary use thereof and that may result in damage.
- Library telephones may not be used by library patrons except in the case of an emergency. A staff member will place a telephone call using a library phone for patrons in the case of an emergency.
- Grades 8 and under are to utilize the Children’s room and the children’s computers.
- Ages 8 and under will utilize the Picture Book Section and ages 9 through middle school will utilize the Junior Room section
- Grades 9 and up are to utilize the Adult room and the adult computers.
Enforcement
The Board of Trustees authorizes library personnel to suspend the library privileges for those whose behavior prevents or interferes with the effective use of the library by others.
Failure to comply with the Library Code of Conduct may result in a warning, restriction, or termination of Library privileges, and/or immediate removal from the Library. Individuals who refuse to leave after a request by Library staff may be barred from visiting the Library in the future.
Any person not abiding by these rules will be given a verbal notification by a member of the library staff. A second occurrence on the same day may result in the library patron being asked to leave the library. Habitual offenders may, at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, have their library privileges suspended and/or revoked. Anyone whose privileges have been revoked may have the decision reviewed by the Director. Further appeals may be taken, upon prior written request, to the Library Board of Trustees.
Unattended Children Policy & Procedures
The Kenilworth Public Library is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for families and children. While children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to use the library’s materials, programs and services, parents and caregivers must be aware that the library is an open, public building and the well-being and safety of young children left alone or unsupervised is a serious concern.
It is for the safety of each child that the library has adopted the Unattended Children Policy. An unattended minor may be defined as a child unable to care for himself/herself when left in the library without a parent or responsible adult within sight or sound range, any child left unattended for long periods of time, or any child not picked up at closing time. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the library always rests with the parent or caregiver and not with the library staff.
The Unattended Children Policy
- Children ages 9 and under must be supervised at all times by a parent or caregiver (age 13 or older).
- Middle School & High School aged children are welcome to use the library unattended provided they comply with the library’s Code of Conduct, which includes, but is not limited to, the prohibition of food, foul language, disruptive cell phone usage, horseplay and loitering. Those children using the library unaccompanied are still the legal responsibility of their parents.
- A child 9 and under with no means of getting home when the library closes is considered a stranded minor.
- Parents/caregivers are responsible for being aware of the library’s hours of operation if leaving their child unaccompanied at the library.
- Library personnel will not physically prevent a child from leaving the library, assume responsibility for a child, accompany or transport an unrelated child off library premises.
Procedures
If the library is closing due to inclement weather or other emergency, and an unattended minor is left at the library without transportation home, the library staff will allow the child to call for a ride home using a library phone. At all regular or early closings, if a child is unable to contact a parent, guardian, or caregiver, the Kenilworth Police will be contacted and the child will be placed in their care. Library staff will remain no longer than 15 minutes after closing.
If a child is found without a parent or caregiver during library hours, the following procedures will be followed:
- Staff will try to locate the parent or caregiver in the library and provide an Unattended Children Policy to the parent or caregiver.
- Staff will call the Kenilworth Police to pick up the child if the parent or caregiver cannot be located within the library. Staff will notify the Director of the situation when police are called.
- Staff will encourage an unattended child to contact the parent or guardian if it is within 15 minutes of closing time. If a parent or caregiver cannot be reached or does not arrive upon closing, the library will call the Kenilworth Police to pick up the child. Staff will notify the Director that police have been called.
- Two staff members will remain with the child until the parent/caregiver or police arrive.
- A sign will be left on the library door stating “Unattended child is in the custody of the Kenilworth Police, 567 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, (908) 276-1700,” once the child is in the care of the police. The child’s identity will not be stated on the sign.
- Under no circumstances will library staff provide transportation to stranded children or other patrons.
VIOLATION OF THE UNATTENDED CHILDREN POLICY MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES FOR THE FAMILY.
Approved and adopted by The Kenilworth Public Library Board of Trustees February 9, 2023
Overdue Items
- A “lost item” notice will be sent for any patrons who are more than 60 days overdue. Replacement fee for a lost item is the cost of the item plus a $5.00 reprocessing fee. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for any patron with one or more items which are more than 30 days overdue or for any patron who has an outstanding fine balance of $5.00 or more.
- The library reserves the right to refer the collection of overdue library materials to a collection agency. An additional fee will be charged for any patron who is referred to a collection agency.
Other Fees
- Library patrons will be assessed a charge for any bank fees charged to the library for checks returned for insufficient funds.
- Printing and photocopying costs $0.25 per page for black & white copy, $.50 per page for color copy.
Kenilworth Residents
Library cards are issued to all Kenilworth residents who provide proof of residency in the form of a valid drivers license, mortgage bill, rent receipt, phone or utility bill, or other document indicating both the person’s name and address. In the case of children under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the library, provide proof of residency, and sign the child’s application. A child’s parent or legal guardian is responsible for all items checked out on their child’s card. Library cards are issued for a three year period and proof of residency will be verified at time of renewal.
Non-residents
People who are not residents of Kenilworth are also eligible for borrowing privileges (for physical materials) if they are employed or attend school in Kenilworth. Proof of employment or school enrollment must be presented at the time of registration. A parent or guardian must sign the application at the time of registration for children under the age of 18.
People who reside in any of the municipalities that participate in the Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries (M.U.R.A.L.) are also eligible to register for borrowing privileges. Participating communities include: Berkeley Heights, Bound Brook, Carteret, Clark, Cranbury, Cranford, Dunellen, Edison, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Highland Park, Hillside, Jamesburg, Linden, Long Branch, and New Province, North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Sayreville, Scotch Plains, Somerville, South Amboy, South Brunswick, South Plainfield, South River, Spotswood, Springfield, Union, and Westfield. Anyone registering at the Kenilworth Public Library through the M.U.R.A.L. agreement must have a library card and be in good standing at their home library.
People who do not fall into any of the above categories may purchase a Kenilworth library card at a cost of $70.00 per year. All categories of non-resident borrowing privileges are issued for a one year period and proof of eligibility must be presented at the time of renewal.
People wishing to check out library materials must present their library card upon approaching the circulation desk. Materials will not be checked out without either a library card or other valid form of identification.
The fee for a lost library card is $1.00.
Museum Passes may be checked out to Kenilworth Public Library cardholders who are Kenilworth Residents in good standing (unexpired with outstanding fines and fees totaling no more than $5.00), who are 18 years of age or older. All Museum Pass borrowers are required to sign a waiver stating that this policy has been read and understood.
Museum Pass Borrowers are responsible for the care and return of Museum Passes, including the envelope in which they are provided and any supplemental material contained therein.
Kenilworth Resident library cardholders may check out one Museum Pass per card at a time.
Museum Passes may be checked out for seven days, and are not renewable. Passes must be returned inside to the circulation desk and handed to a library employee so that the passes are checked back in properly to your account.
Museum Passes must be returned to the Kenilworth Public Library. If a Museum Pass is returned to another library, late fees will accrue until the date that the Museum Pass arrives at the Kenilworth Public Library.
If the Library has two Museum Passes to a single museum, a family or group may check out one Museum Pass from that Museum, but not both, in accordance with our agreement with the museum.
Museum Passes can not be placed on hold, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Benefits provided by the use of a Museum Pass, including the number of people admitted, discounts and special exhibits, vary from museum to museum. If you have a question about Museum Pass benefits which is not explicitly stated in this policy, or on the pass itself, it is strongly advised that you contact the museum before you visit.
While some museums take part in reciprocal admission programs, many of these programs do not include library Museum Passes. If you have a question about reciprocal admission, it is strongly advised that you contact the museum before you visit.
All questions about this policy should be submitted to the library director.
Fee Schedule
There is no cost to borrow a Museum Pass as long as it is returned on time. In consideration of others who are waiting to use the Museum Pass, the following fees will apply.
If a Museum Pass is returned late, a late fee of $10.00 per day (per Museum Pass) will accrue until the day the Museum Pass is returned. The maximum late fee charged will be $50.00. The borrower will remain liable for these fees after the Museum Pass is returned.
If a Museum Pass is lost or damaged, the borrower will be charged a replacement fee of $50.00, or any fee assessed by the Museum to the Kenilworth Public Library for replacement of the lost or damaged Museum Pass, whichever is higher. This fee will be charged in addition to any late fees already accrued.
If a Museum Pass is not returned on time, the Kenilworth Public Library staff will attempt to contact the borrower after the original due date for the Museum Pass. After two weeks, if the Museum Pass has still not been returned or the borrower cannot be reached, a replacement fee will be charged and the Museum Pass will be replaced. After this point, the Museum Pass can no longer be returned to the library and will no longer be usable.
A replacement fee of $5.00 will be assessed if the envelope containing the Museum Pass is lost or damaged.
Approved by the Kenilworth Public Library Board of Trustees on June 8, 2017
- No child under the age of ten shall be permitted in the library unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible person who shall be at least thirteen years of age.
- Children under the age of ten shall be under the direct supervision of the person responsible for their behavior while in the library.
- If a child is left unattended at the library at closing time and the library staff is unable to locate a parent or other responsible adult, the library staff may, at their discretion, notify the Kenilworth Police Department and request that the child be brought to the police headquarters to await pick-up.
